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Message from the vice president for university Advancement

Dear Stakeholder,

Did you know, Saint Xavier University is Chicago’s oldest university and one of the top universities
in Illinois. With campuses in Chicago and Orland Park, the University offers a dynamic
environment that includes top-notch academic programs, accomplished faculty, state-of-the-art
facilities and award-winning athletics. The most recent report from the National Survey
of Student Engagement (NSSE) indicates that critical features of the teaching-learning
environment at Saint Xavier University are on par with the top 10% of colleges and
universities nationally.

Did you know, Saint Xavier University serves more than 4,000 students each year, placing great
emphasis on diversity – currently 26% of undergraduate students are Hispanic, 16%
are African-American, 3% are Asian and 2% are multiracial. U.S. News & World Report ranks the University’s student population among the five most diverse public and
private colleges and universities in the Midwest and third in Illinois. Further, it
commends the university for serving low-income populations, ranking the University
eleventh among master’s-granting universities in terms of the economic diversity of
its students. It should be noted that nearly two-thirds of university’s undergraduates
are students who are the first in their families to pursue a bachelor’s degree.

Did you know, Saint Xavier University does more than enroll a diverse student body -- it graduates
them and does so with distinction. The average graduation rate (six-year rate) of
the Top 10 US News Universities for campus diversity is 39%. The average six-year
graduation rate of Saint Xavier University is 54%, the second highest in this group.
Saint Xavier University also helps students obtain gainful employment and careers.
Results of the University’s “First Destination Survey” of bachelor’s degree recipients
revealed that 86% are either employed professionally and/or are attending graduate
school. Together, these statistics highlight the university’s longstanding commitment
to making high-quality education available to all students regardless of economic
status and to creating a productive citizenry.

As we proceed with this critical work, your financial support of the University is
essential, especially in the critical areas of:

Annual Fund

Unrestricted annual gifts are crucial to the institution’s ongoing financial stability,
providing the flexibility to quickly and effectively respond to both pressing needs
and new opportunities, including:

Periodic upgrades of classroom and laboratory equipment;

Purchase and/or replacement of books, journals, and periodicals;

Seminars, workshops, special events and other activities that support a vibrant campus
community;

Need-based and academic scholarships for deserving students.

Need-Based Scholarships

Currently, nearly all (98%) of the University’s students receive some type of financial
aid, and 80% of this aid is in the form of student loans. Approximately 87% of these
students leave with some level of debt, sometimes upwards of $33,000. Numerous studies
have shown high levels of student debt can have a significantly negative impact on
long-term success, greatly diminishing students’ ability to acquire wealth, live independently,
build sufficient retirement saving or make large consumer purchases such as cars and
homes.

Athletic Facilities Enhancements

Renovations to Deaton Field are much needed, and will include a new track, entrance
pavilion, concessions stand and washrooms.

Science Center

Without significant investment, the ongoing growth and long-term impact of the University’s
Science Program will be greatly diminished. Current issues include insufficient laboratory
space and inadequate staffing. The biology department currently has only four labs
all of which are at full capacity every day. In addition, faculty are overextended
with heavy teaching loads and advising schedules. This limits their ability to pursue
their own research activities, which is critical for ongoing professional development.
If this situation continues, it will become more difficult to attract and retain both
qualified students and faculty. It will also become more difficult to cultivate and
maintain partnerships with key association and industry leaders who could support
student research and post-graduate employment. Together, these limitations will ultimately
impede the programs’ abilities to position students for long-term success. Perhaps
one of the departments’ faculty members says it best: "What’s important is how we are transforming our students into professionals who can
contribute intellectually to research and the profession. We are already doing that
extremely well; better facilities and more space will enhance that process."

Saint Xavier University is deeply committed to ensuring that its students are fully
equipped to meet the challenges of this new millennium. We respectfully request that
you join us in fulfilling that commitment by making a gift today.